Aug 21, 2006 | blog
So we’re deep into the packing phase of moving to our new townhouse. Its surprising to me how much stuff a person accumulates over the years. Just things that really don’t add to a person’s goals.
We’ve been purging old office stuff, old furniture, books, etc… The nice part about the purging effort is that we’ll have less to move when the time comes.
Anyway, back to work today to tackle the tasks that bring in the paycheck! Lots to do here as well – anyone know where I can buy a few hours to add to each day? Preferably, they would come fully rested and not hungry either :).
Aug 14, 2006 | blog
Man has it been a crazy busy summer, with work draining most of my energy. So, I’ve not had a lot of time to devote to blogging, and its bothering me. For the past year or more, I’ve really enjoyed following my favorite technology topics, expanding my RSS list with new and interesting blogs on a varied range of topics.
But something happened in June/July – something I was trying not to let happen. Work took control; I’ve let my job get the better of me this summer, and its not fun. I mean, my family and I have not been able to get away, I’m on my computer every night, I feel like I’ll never catch up.
Yeah, sure I’ve taken on a lot of new tasks and responsibilities, but its starting to get a little long in the tooth. Where is the time for relaxation and family. The amount of new things I’ve learned and am learning is great, but now there is got to be time for other pursuits.
My family and I will be moving out of the city to a smaller town in September, and I hope to star taking advantage of living out a bit. The slower pace and simpler lifestyle will help to unplug. One of the reasons is to simply enjoy being out in the country again – both my wife and I grew up in small farm communities, and we’re looking forward to get back to that kind of atmosphere.
Sorry for the diary-style post, its been a frustrating summer, and it isn’t over yet. More later ~ Rick.
Aug 14, 2006 | blog
Well I’ve had about enough – with work that is. Seems like whenever someone doesn’t understand something and is unable to stretch or grow, that they simply choose to say no. Or “prove it to me”.
HA! Pay attention and you may get it some year.
I’ve got more to say, but it’ll have to wait – work to do here,
Aug 11, 2006 | blog
Sorry for not posting in awhile, the workload in my day job has consumed all my time this summer and things haven’t gone the way I hoped they would.
I’m going to try and get back into a good posting rythum, starting with a review of the Jabra BT500 over at The Mobile Lifestyle this weekend. I’m about a week overdue on getting that done, so I’ve got to start with that.
There may also be some changes in some things on this blog as well. More things I have ideas, concerns, hopes, dreams, and gripes about, along with comments on technology and such.
More later!
Aug 1, 2006 | blog
Antoine Wright over at Brighthand makes a great point on the industry needing to meet needs of the average user by simplifying the smartphone/pda devices. In his article Looking Down the Wrong End of the Barrel: How PDAs Got It All Wrong, he discusses how sophisticated devices such as the Palm and Pocket PC require understanding the feature set, and that means reading the manual.
Many people will agree with me that a smartphone and a data package is a much better way to be connected than a simple “dumb” phone. However, the top selling phone in the U.S. is the Motorola RAZR. Why? It’s sleek, it’s simple, and it does what it does (make calls). For it to do more would make the target audience freak out because they would have to learn something new.
Now the part I take issue with is the “they would have to learn something new” piece. Now I know the average person just wants to use the device for what it was designed for. I also understand that all these fantastic devices available on the market (or on their way to market) really do need to go to Toaster University for a dose of KISS 101.
It just bothers me that people insist on not learning something new. Does this apply to everything in their life? Is it that people just do not want to learn anymore? Are they too busy to pick up some new techniques, tools, tips, or {gasp} ideas? If the drive by media is any indication, it may be too late to worry about.
To keep myself from getting too worked up I’ll take the glass-half-full view and believe that smarter simpler devices will free up a person’s time. That additional free time to be spent with family, friends, or just reading one of those old-fashoned paper books we all used to know so well.
~Later
